Calendar

Jun
25
Sun
Swinley Off the Piste @ Swinley Forest
Jun 25 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Swinley Off the Piste @ Swinley Forest | England | United Kingdom
NB – this ride is now on the Sunday, 25th June
This is somewhere between our Swinley Best Bits ride and a training event for the Swinley Enduro in September.
We will take in all the Stages from last year’s Enduro, which including the off-piste ones, the best of the Blue and Red and another off piste section we remembered recently (you’ll be amazed you missed it once you know it!).
 
The ride will be about 12 miles, with options to extend it further, either as we go, or as a nice short bonus lap after lunch.
 
Meet at the trails entrance at 10am and don’t forget your helmet.
Jul
22
Sat
Impromptu Swinley Hidden Gems @ Swinley Forest
Jul 22 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Impromptu Swinley Hidden Gems @ Swinley Forest | England | United Kingdom

Last minute rain dodging suggests Swinley tomorrow! Still a few showers forecast, but looks the driest option overall, so if anyone wants to join us, we’re going to do our “full off piste” route.

About 15 miles, taking in the best of the Blue & Red trails, some Swinley enduro off piste sections & some forgotten, but still good, sections of trail.

Good opportunity to check out of the less well known, but hidden gems of Swinley.

Meet by the trails entrance at 10am.

Make sure you bring a helmet & probably a coat, as showers are forecast.

Aug
6
Sun
FoD for All (Happy Andy Day) @ Pedalabikeaway
Aug 6 @ 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
FoD for All (Happy Andy Day) @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom
One year on from a cracking (if eventful!) trip to the Forest of Dean, we’re going back again 🙂
 
This is a general day with several ride leaders, with options for everyone.
 
We will do at least one lap of Verderers, check out the skills area and at least a run down Lauchpad, with some other DH runs if people want too.
 
Davinia will be leading a ladies group too and we will do some skills practice on the great facilities at Cannop.
 
Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway Cafe at 10.30am
 
Helmets are a must (if Andy’s coming he’ll show you why!)
Aug
19
Sat
Swinley Enduro Training @ Swinley Bike Hub
Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Swinley Enduro Training @ Swinley Bike Hub | United Kingdom
Swinley Enduro is rapidly approaching, so we’re going to do a full on training event.
 
We will follow last years course fully, stopping to have a look at some of the trickier bits along the way. Although this year’s course is secret and will have an additional stage, we’re pretty sure some of last year’s stages will be included again.
 
Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub at 10am (so we can bug Tristan and try and get him to spill more of this year’s course details!) 
Sep
7
Thu
Swinley Enduro Practice Thursday @ Swinley Bike Hub
Sep 7 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Swinley Enduro Practice Thursday @ Swinley Bike Hub | United Kingdom

Swinley Enduro is nearly upon us!! So I’m getting another sneaky practise in while the kids are at school!! We will be following as much of last year’s route as we have time for.

If you fancy joining me, then let me know as I can lift a couple of people.

Remember to bring pads and a helmet.

We will meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub for a 10am set off.

Oct
29
Sun
Swinley Monster Mash Up! @ Swinley Bike Hub
Oct 29 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Swinley Monster Mash Up! @ Swinley Bike Hub | United Kingdom

2 days before Halloween, so let’s go and play in the woods – always turned out well in films 😳
This will probably be one of our last trips to Swinley of the year, so we’re going out with a bang and will ride the best the forest has to offer, taking in as much of it as I can pack into 1 loop!
I’ll be keeping the distance to about 15 miles and we’ll be doing some old favourites, best of the regular trails and some bits you might not have seen before 😉 it will be an intermediate level ride, with some technical bits, but there are walk around options for anything you don’t fancy doing – it’s all friendly fun, promise!

Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub at 10am
(you’ll need a helmet and some knee pads are probably a good idea too)

Nov
4
Sat
FoD Family Ride @ Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean
Nov 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
FoD Family Ride @ Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean | England | United Kingdom
We’re going to do something a bit different for the next family ride – an away day of sorts.
 
Just down the road from Pedalabikeaway in the Forest of Dean, is Beechenhurst, the activity & picnic centre with a child’s playground and sculpture trail amongst other things.
 
So we will park/start at Beechenhurst and pick up the Green family trail (which is on former railyway lines, so nice & flat), out to the Cannop ponds, looping back to Pedalabikeaway for a go on the family skills loop and pump track (& visit to the cafe), before returning to Beechenhurst.
 
Total route is 5 miles, but with the option for as many loops of the pump track as desired – it always seems to be the kids’ favourite!
 
The ride will be lead by our Welfare officer, Davinia, who is also a British Cycling qualified ride leader and Breeze champion.
 
Whilst on the ride your children must be accompanied and are your responsibility at all times.
 
Meet out the front of the Beechenhurst lodge at 11am.
Feb
17
Sat
Swinley Best Bits 2018 @ Swinley Forest
Feb 17 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Swinley Best Bits 2018 @ Swinley Forest  | United Kingdom

The first “Swinley Best Bits” of 2018.
These are Red grade rides that take in some of the best best of the Blue, Red, old trails and downhill trails into 1 loop.

This is at the upper end of Red grading for its technicality, as although the distance will be under 20 miles, the terrain is challenging, with everything from fast flowing singletrack, jumps, to some loamy off camber roots and reasonable sized drops. If you are confident on Red trails, you will be fine.
You can read about a previous Best Bits route using the link below. The exact route on the day will depend on how we get on (adapted for the weather and riders in the group essentially), but this gives a good idea: http://swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wheretoride/routes/swinley-big-best-bits/

Please bring food with you, as we will be out over lunchtime and there are no facilities in the woods.

You must bring a helmet (no helmet, no ride) and knee and elbow pads are recommend too.

Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub and 10.15 for a 10.30am set off.

Apr
15
Sun
Tidworth Tinker @ Tidworth Freeride
Apr 15 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tidworth Tinker @ Tidworth Freeride | United Kingdom

A timely weekend session at Tidworth, not too long before the first of the Root1 races. There have been some nice looking changes to the race track itself (Sicknote), as well as some of the other tracks, so a good opportunity to check it out.

You need to be a R1de member (this is free, but needs to be done in advance) and it costs £7 on the day for admission at the bike park. Register at www.b1ke.co.uk

Meet by the new hut at 10am.

You will need a helmet (full face is a good idea if you have one).

Apr
19
Thu
Tidworth Morning Motivator @ Tidworth Freeride
Apr 19 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tidworth Morning Motivator @ Tidworth Freeride | United Kingdom

A relaxed morning session at Tidworth Freeride.

Meet by the hut at 10am and ride what you fancy.

You need to be a B1ke member to ride (which is free) – sign  up on their website.

You must have a helmet to ride at Tidworth, and pads are a good idea too.

Ride grading – Orange- Bike park

Entry cost – £7